The Princess and Ming-huá

Untitled Part 11

The oxen cart continued to jolt and lurch along an almost indistinguishable track through the ever thickening jungle. It was so dense in places, that it almost obliterated any sunlight that tried to penetrate the thick canopy of leaves and vines.

After half a day of bouncing and joggling, sitting in silence under the watchful eye of the guarding soldier, the oxen cart broke into an open area. The dense jungle created a wall around the clearing. Set in the centre of the open space was a small kampung.

As they approached the kampung, a group of Imperial Ming soldiers grouped and stood in two columns.

When the oxen cart was within a short distance from the columns of soldiers, the commanding soldier in the oxen cart called a halt. When it had ground to a stop, he ordered Aimee and Ming-huá to get down from the cart. Both the women were afraid and confused. They were standing next to the cart when Aimee gave an almost inaudible shriek.

Ming-huá looked at her and then turned back to look at the column of soldiers. She saw a big man in Imperial Court attire walking toward them between the two columns.

"What is the matter Aimee? Who is he?" whispered Ming-huá.

"Oh no!" Aimee whispered, "That is Wang Zhi, the chief eunuch from the Imperial Court. He is a particularly horrid and cruel person."

"A eunuch? You mean a..." and Ming-huá's voice trailed off.

"Yes, a eunuch, Ming-huá and Wang Zhi practices the worst aspects of terror."

As she spoke in a whisper, Wang Zhi ordered that the two women be bought to him. As reassurance Ming-huá touched the hilt of her Kris, which Puteri Hang Li Poh had given her, tucked securely under her garments. The soldiers who had accompanied Aimee and Ming-huá grabbed the two women by the arms. Ming-huá instantly reacted to the action. She raised her leg and brought her heel down onto one of the soldier's instep. Even though he was wearing soft shoes, the force of Ming-huá's heel's impact and the pain it caused, caught him by surprise. He flinched and loosened his grip on her right arm, sufficiently so that she could free it from his grip. With her arm now free, she brought a swift jab with her knuckles to the other soldier, just below his rib cage. Now free from that soldiers grip, she spun around and, pivoting on her left leg, she raised her right leg to bring a harsh kick to the neck of the first soldier, who had regained his composure. He had drawn his sword but was not fast enough before Ming-huá's foot crashed onto the side of his neck. He slumped to the ground. To regain her balance and composure, Ming-huá did a back flip, which took her away a distance from the second soldier, who had regained his breath somewhat. He had drawn his Kris and as Ming-huá steadied herself, he lunged at her. Quick in defensive action, Ming-huá spun sideways but the soldier's Kris nicked her left arm near the shoulder, causing a rent in her tunic and drawing blood from the nick. Her tunic sleeve soon became bloodied. Undaunted, Ming-huá drew her Kris. The instant it was in her hand, such was its mystique and power, it seemed to take control of Ming-huá, rather than she controlling it. She again faced the soldier and as she did, he again lunged at her. By his actions, she knew he was not highly skilled in martial arts, he was just a foot soldier but still a deadly opponent as he was skilful with the Kris. As he lunged, Ming-huá again pivoted on her left leg and managed a kick to the side of the soldier. The kick was not well aimed and caught him on the arm and only threw him off balance momentarily. The action, however, gave Ming-huá time to regain her balance ready to fend off the soldier's next attack. As he again lunged at Ming-huá, she side stepped slightly to her left and to her surprise, her Kris caught the soldier in just under the rib cage. Again, the Kris had acted on Ming-huá, rather than Ming-huá controlling it. She withdrew the Kris but did not look at the soldier as he fell to the ground. As he fell, he dropped his Kris and it fell almost at Ming-huá's feet.

All this action had taken place so fast, Ming-huá was left a little breathless. She had the presence of mind to quickly tuck her Kris under her garments, hoping that Wang Zhi and his soldiers did not notice.

She glanced over at Aimee, still being held by the other two soldiers. Her expression was that of fear, for both Ming-huá and herself.

As Ming-huá glanced at Aimee, she heard Wang Zhi bark an order at his soldiers.

"Capture them and bring them to me"

Ming-huá turned and looked in the direction of Wang Zhi and his men. The group of soldiers instantly rushed toward Ming-huá and Aimee. Ming-huá knew it was pointless trying to defend herself against so many. She turned and faced them, raising her arms out stretched by her side and dropped the Kris.

Upon reaching her, two soldiers grabbed her and another picked up the Kris she had dropped to the ground.

The two women were marched in a rough manner over to Wang Zhi. He stood and looked at them. He was quite a hideous site. He was tall, but being a eunuch, he was also quite flabby and his garments hung from his bulk.

"I am aware of your heinous plan!" he bellowed, "I will put a stop to it now. No one will ever free Hang Li Poh. She has disgraced the Emperor and the Ming Court and will remain in solitude for eternity."

Ming-huá and Aimee stood before the hideous man as he ranted and raged. They were held tight by the soldiers and there seemed no escape. Wang Zhi continued,

"There is no place for you anywhere. You will not rescue Hanh Li Poh because you will never reach Hang Tuah." He continued yelling.

He then turned to his commanding officer,

"Execute them. And this one, she will die by lashing." He said, pointing at Ming-huá.

Both women were stunned. Ming-huá was frightened. How could she die in the fifteenth century? How could they both die? Would her parents find her dead in her room? The whole episode was quite bizarre.

The soldiers turned them around and marched them toward a row of poles set into the ground, near the opening in the jungle where the track they had travelled led into the Kampung clearing.

Both women were roughly stripped to the waist and lashed to the poles. The executioners were just about to take up their positions when, from down the jungle track, came a terrifying scream, so loud, that it seemed to rend the still jungle air of the open clearing.